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Families Get Major Tax Breaks with Promising Qualified Tuition Program
If you are concerned about the rising cost of higher education, you are not
alone. While today’s price tags are not cheap ($110,000 for private
colleges and $50,000 for public colleges), tuition is rising more than twice
as fast as the rate of inflation, and parents of kids born today can face
expenses of over $250,000 by the time their newborns are of age. No wonder
why parents consider education savings to be the second most important
financial goal, besides retirement savings. Despite the rising cost, the
facts still stand that college graduates earn a lot more money than
non-college grads (at least $1 million more over the course of a lifetime).
Thanks to newly enacted tax legislation called Section 529, saving for
college has become a lot more manageable. This IRS tax code, first passed
in 1996, states that investments in Qualified Tuition Programs (otherwise
known as 529 plans) grow 100% federally tax-free, as long as the funds are
utilized for Qualified Higher Education Expenses. Federal tax treatment is
just one of the many benefits of 529 plans. "From state tax benefits to
employer matching contributions, there are a whole range of value-added
benefits that 529 plans offer. There are implications depending on what
state you are from, so before signing up, individuals should carefully
examine the pros and cons of various 529 plans," states Arman Rousta,
President of 401kid Advisors, a New York investment advisor that assists
families in developing Education Savings Plans.
529 plans represent to higher education what 401(k) is to retirement. Most
state 529 plans are managed by professional investment companies, such as
TIAA-CREF, Fidelity, Alliance, and Prudential, offer minimum investments of
as little as $25 to open an account, and have generous contribution limits,
over $250,000 in some plans. Although they have been around for over five
years, only 25% of parents even know about 529 plans, and many state plans
are still under development. That should change with the recent favorable
legislation and the subsequent land grab that is presently taking place
amongst major fund managers, brokers and investment companies. 401kid’s
website (www.401kid.com) has a breakdown of all 529 plans and provides
objective ratings based on relevant criteria, such as contribution ranges,
plan expenses, and tax benefits.
Unlike 401(k), 529 plans can be opened directly by parents and families,
without the involvement of their employers, much like IRAs. However,
employer-sponsored plans can have some additional perks, such as payroll
deduction, contribution matching, and access through corporate portals. "If
an employer offers 529 plans, employees need to evaluate whether the plans
being offered are in their best interest, from a tax perspective," warns Mr.
Rousta, "because the plan that your employer offers may not carry favorable
state tax deductions, amongst other benefits, unique to your state of
residence." To date, there has been a lot of confusion amongst 529 account
holders, due mostly to the misinformation that is being provided by banks,
fund managers, employers, and the media. For those who have already opened
accounts and subsequently learn about advantages in their own state’s plan,
balances can be transferred to new 529 plans once per year, but usually with
some type of penalty applied from the original fund manager.
For those of you who need help saving for k-12 expenses before you worry
about college, 529s are not appropriate, but there is another solution.
Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, formerly known as Education IRAs, have
recently been upgraded and made tax deductible for K-12 as well as higher
education expenses. With private schools now costing over $10,000 per year,
the $2,000 annual Coverdell limit per beneficiary can provide welcome
relief. Unlike 529 plans, Coverdell accounts can be opened through almost
all banks, and the only major restriction is for families that earn more
than $220,000, who cannot contribute to Coverdells.
Between Coverdell accounts and 529 plans, families now have a more robust
arsenal when trying to tackle ever-growing educational expenses. The key is
to devise an attainable strategy and start while kids are still young.
Saving through these new vehicles does impact a family’s Expected Family
Contribution when applying for Financial Aid, but not to a great degree.
And you thought retirement planning was confusing? In sum, even with the
promising new tax breaks, college savings and overall education financing is
still a complex maze, which requires significant planning, resources, and
attention.
Copyright © 401kid.com. Reprinted with permission.
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